"So you and Kamijou had moved into Iwatodai Dorm?"
In front of the dorm, Hamuko, Junpei and Yukari were there waving their hands to the friend that came near by.
"Yes, from today on!" Hamuko nodded firmly. As the sound of the engine started, they all moved their sight over there.
Minato watched the car which Haruka and Ikutsuki on board started moving, and then he shifted his gaze to the other three. Junpei and Yukari were normal, but Hamuko was totally had something in her mind. Minato raised his brow, kept quiet but noted in his mind.
So…there's really something.
"It's great to have more girls move in. I welcome that, dude!" Junpei said without a bit of shame, and Yukari threw him a disgusted glare. "What do you expect!? I'm a guy!"
"It can't be help. They got my dorm assignment wrong." Hamuko scratched her head. That's totally a lie. She thought in her mind.
"I see." Minato nodded.
The four of them got into the dorm to while away their free time. Mitsuru and Akihiko were remained at school for the Student Council and Boxing team. They left Junpei and Yukari to take care of Hamuko and Haruka. While they having a chat, Hamuko found some leftover ingredients who Yukari and Junpei claimed they didn't know about it, she decided to use that to make something for everyone. At last, a perfect delicious milk shake came out, and served to her friends which it's quite surprised them. The pleasant flavor delighted everyone. They continue chatting stuff and enjoyed the afternoon.
"Thanks for the milk shake. It's delicious." Minato thanked Hamuko before he left.
"Come again, I'll make another special one for you." Hamuko winked at him, spoke timidly to avoid others happened to hear her.
Minato chuckled and nodded. They exchanged a glance that claimed to be 'this is only between us'. Later Haruka and Ikutsuki back to the dorm.
"You finally back!" Once Haruka stepped into the dorm, she was greeted by Hamuko's bright smile again. Leaving Ikutsuki that was just coming in, Hamuko pulled Haruka to the corner ignored the guy. ."Did Ikutsuki do anything to you?"
"No… it's just a normal body checking."
"So how is the result, chairman?" Mitsuru asked.
"The result showed Kamijou is normal person. She is active during Dark Hour because she adapted it." Ikutsuki revealed.
Mitsuru clearly looked disappointed. "I see…" She hadn't realized she was being glared by Yukari the whole she started to speak.
Hamuko noticed Yukari's glare. It looked odd…why Yukari even showed that?
"But there's still chance she will get attack by shadow, right?" Akihiko asked. "Like that night."
"Yes. It's better to have her stay here."
"Don't worry Kami-tan! Junpei is here for you!" Junpei stood up from his seat, acting like a hero.
"Ignore him. I doubt his words." Yukari pushed him away, left his grumble aside without any concern. "But you can relax here. We'll do our best to keep you safe. We're friend after all!"
Hamuko saw Haruka lifted her face in surprised. "Friend…?"
Yeah…she never got someone to call friend before. She must be surprised with what Yukari told her. Hamuko thought as she drew them closer and threw them her arms. "Yes, we're friend! But Haruka, you gotta remember I'm always your first friend you made here!" No one found Haruka was oddly silence.
"I…I go back to my room first…" She bowed to leave. "Good night…"
From what Hamuko could tell from her expression, something must be bothering her. What happened to her? She was like this since morning.
"Everyone, please get back here. I need your undivided attention." Ikutsuki called them back to their seat. "For the beginning, we only have Mitsuru and Akihiko as members. But the number recently jumped to five. Mitsuru, I think we can start explore that place."
"Indeed." Mitsuru nodded, agreed with him. "Everyone, we will go to Tartarus tomorrow midnight. Is there any problem?"
"Tartarus…a name sounded like toothpaste. Is that huge tower aloof during Dark Hour?"
"Yeah…you can think of as a shadow's nest." With a playful tone, Akihiko raised his fist with sharp eyes.
"Akihiko, why are you always like that?" Mitsuru tensed up as she sat straight.
Ikutsuki quickly stood in the middle before they both started up a quarreling. Akihiko was about to shoot back but shut up after Ikutsuki gestured him to stop.
"Okay Mitsuru, no fighting. He just wants to do his best."
Mitsuru looked away. "…Whatever." She still unsatisfied with his playing attitude when came to fighting with shadow. "By the way, can you fight, Tsukikage?"
"Me? Oh no problem." Hamuko imagined a naginata in her mind. "I just need a naginata."
"What? You can wield that thing?" Everyone threw her a surprise look, especially Junpei.
"Yes…what's wrong?" Hamuko wicked, tilted her head. That made her even innocent cute.
Akihiko chuckled. "…You really surprised us, and talented!"
"Yes, I agree. You're reliable than someone else here." Mitsuru said with some other things inside her tone. Everyone knew who she had referred to; they just kept quiet for their own sake. Even Akihiko, the possible 'someone else' also shut up but released a rather frustrated glare.
"Then, it's decided!" Junpei shouted, tried to cheer the atmosphere. He raised his hand into the air and yelled excitedly.
"Stop yelling, Stupei!" Yukari gave him a kick at his upper leg.
"Ouch! My leg!" Then a 'pomp' sounded as he tripped.
Everyone burst out a laugh at his funny feature which his two legs stretched onto the air up side down. Even the tensed Mitsuru looked away from Junpei, but her lips had betrayed her.
"Okay then, tomorrow we will go to Tartarus."
Everyone seemed nervous about tonight's exploration in Tartarus especially Junpei. He acted so excited all the day until Minato couldn't stand him anymore. He started ignored his friend for his own good. Haruka seemed hadn't recovered from her yesterday weird state. She would space out when Hamuko talked to her. But the poker face girl just kept stating she was fine as ever.
It's finally the time to go back. Yukari went for her archery team while the others went back to home. Like Junpei said, to save energy for tonight. From that, Hamuko clearly noticed he was not only excited, but nervous at the same yet tried to pretend he was nothing. Same for Haruka here still kept spacing out like nothing in the world would get into her.
"What's wrong with them?" While they're on the way back to the dorm, Minato dragged Hamuko to Hagakure. He couldn't ask if the other two were here, so he left them behind, only dragged the auburn haired girl.
"I-I don't know…" It's bad to lie to him…but I have no choice. She said while the shopkeeper served the ramen to them.
"…You don't know either? They're living in the same dorm with you."
Great now Hamuko, Arisato-kun doesn't believe you at all. Hamuko kept her head down eating the ramen without dare to look at him. She might end up telling him everything if she faced his silver eyes. No you can't! This is for his sake too!
She thought more questions would come from him but only silence she met with. Instead, he was eating his ramen in his usually calm and steady state.
Hamuko secretly stole a glance at him, afraid if he was angry with her. Surprisingly she found no sign of fury on his face like nothing was going to break his good looking calm passion.
"Arisato-kun…"
"Hey what's wrong little couple? Quarreling or something?" A deep male voice suddenly broke in between them and shocked Hamuko. Accidentally Hamuko's hand hit the bowl, caused the bowl of ramen fell on the table.
"Oh gosh!" She gasped.
"Are you alright?" Minato immediately grabbed her and pulled her away from the table, avoided the hot soup dropped on her uniform.
"I-I'm sorry miss! I don't mean to scare you!" The man spoke just now raised his two hands to show he was no bad intention, quickly apologized for his careless.
"You…!" Minato dropped his face. Hamuko his grasp tightened as she started to feel ache.
She quickly stopped him by pulling his sleeve. "It's okay, Arisato-kun!"
"Haha…err, my name is Izumi. I'm really sorry for my reckless." The man—Izumi introduced himself as he scratched his head in embarrassment.
He had them sat down, and took out another bowl of ramen for Hamuko. A special ramen she never expected from him as compensation.
"I thought you're quarreling, little couple."
"…We are not couple." Minato decided to ignore Izumi. He tired from repeating the same thing god-only-know how many times.
"No shame, boy!" Minato rolled his eye.
Hamuko stared at the special ramen that was too oversized for her. Can I finish this all by myself? No good…I already half full…
Izumi was one of the shopkeepers in Hagakure. He looked kind enough but he gave the two a bad impression at the first time so…though it was not totally his fault, they still didn't like him, especially Minato. He looked pissed enough with that dark long face.
"Are you okay with this?" Minato shifted his gaze in between the ramen and Hamuko.
"I doubt it…" She guessed her face must have turned green or pale white because Arisato-kun stared at her with odd expression. It's not like she didn't appreciated this, and she mostly would jumped up if her stomach was empty.
"…Hey, you have something to do tonight, right?" Minato asked. From what he heard from Junpei, though he had no idea what that would be, he bet that's something important. "Come on, I'll finish it for you."
"Huh?" He wanted to eat this for her? "Arisato-kun…!"
"Wow, what a good boyfriend." Izumi watched that and smirked. But he quickly backed to his job after noticed his supervisor glared at him.
Hamuko sighed. "…How many times do we have to repeat?" She looked away from Izumi to Minato. She smiled when she saw Minato eating the ramen for her. Well, he was right. I can't go to Tartarus with the overfilled stomach. I doubt if I can fight properly. But having the guy ate the food for her and she just watched it? She was not that type of person. "Then, let's finish it together!"
They both raised a wide grin as their eyes met each other, and dig in the food without more words.
Gekkoukan High, front gate.
"Is this the place we called Tartarus?" Looked around, Junpei asked uncertainly.
"Our school transforms into Tartarus during Dark Hour, don't you know that?" Hamuko carried a golf-like bag at her back. That's the naginata she requested from Mitsuru. Everyone brought their own weapons which put into some kind of bags. Though it was almost midnight, they wouldn't want anyone accidentally found out they were holding such dangerous things out of street.
"O-Of course I know!" Junpei looked away from Hamuko. His tone was irritated. Hamuko frowned when she found he was too unusual.
Not only Junpei, Hamuko found Yukari was awkwardly silent the whole night from the time she back from school. Hamuko had asked Yukari but the brunette only shook her head, barely answered her question. On the other hand, Haruka was still like a lifeless doll that following behind them like ghost. Letting out a sigh, Hamuko wondered what's got to them.
Back at the dorm, Mitsuru told them only the three of them would go inside Tartarus to have a feel inside. Akihiko would remain with Mitsuru, though he was clearly unwilling, the boxing champion didn't voice out. Well, no one dare to ask Mitsuru, not even Akihiko. Mitsuru would sure give him no excuse.
Since then, Junpei and Yukari started to act oddly. Perhaps it's truly due to the nervous. Hamuko remembered none of them had summoned their persona before excepted Hamuko alone, so that's probably the reason. That aside, she worried Haruka more than them. She didn't agree to bring Haruka along, but Mitsuru stated only to have her came to the entrance.
"It's almost time." Akihiko took out his mobile, said while checking it.
When it reached 12:00, the whole town turned dead. All the light went out, sky covered with eerie green light. Gekkoukan High started transformed into Tartarus. It's getting higher and higher, almost cut across the sky.
Everyone stared at the transformation silently. Junpei even dropped his jaw. Hamuko, like the rest of them, stared at it without words. This should consider being her first time seeing the transformation, but oddly enough, she was way too familiar with it. Did I see this a lot before?
"Hey…what happened to our school?" Junpei still dropped his jaw in shock.
"After the Dark Hour ends, it will turns bask normally." Mitsuru calmly told him.
"But why our school?" Yukari asked. Hamuko caught a glimpse of suspicious inside her tone.
"…"
"You don't know either?" Sighed, Yukari shrugged away the matter.
"Come on, we're heading inside."
As they stepped inside Tartarus, they all amazed by the magnificent structure of the building.
"Wow…unbelievable…"
There were a stair linking to the door at the air without supporting and two other doors down behind it. The pillars around all curved with fine carving. The entrance was well lit with high class golden light around. Not the dark gloomy place they expected in the first place.
"Hey, is this possible?" Examining the stair, Yukari asked with interest.
"Hmm? Weird…the last time we're here, there was no other doors down here…" Mitsuru noticed the other two doors located at the back. She walked near the Monad door, hand held on the knob about to open it.
With the urge calling from deep of heart, Hamuko stopped her before she did that.
"What's wrong?" Mitsuru looked at her with question face.
"I-uh, oh yeah, I-I feel like it's kinda dangerous inside…" She didn't know why she stopped Mitsuru from opening the door. Her body moved automatically before she knew it. "Ugh…my instinct told me!"
Mitsuru raised her eyebrow. "…Is that so?" She glanced at the door before she pulled back her hand. "Well, our mission is exploring Tartarus. Let's just focus on that. And…you're right, we should not risk."
Hamuko secretly let out a relieve sigh. She did feel something odd from these two doors, and somehow she saw them before. And there was one more door, mostly no one else but only she could see.
Velvet Room, the blue door that glowing in soft velvet blue, located at the other side away from the stair. Carefully not to be discovered by the others, Hamuko moved near it, twisted opened the door. The sudden light blinded her, but she had shut her eye before that.
"Welcome to my Velvet Room, my dear guest."
"Hi Igor and Theo." She greeted them. "Wow, just as I expected."
"Yes, this door is connected to Velvet Room so we can assist you anytime." Theo spoke, a light smile across his handsome face.
"I see. Well, I'm not surprise to find it here though…" It will be weird if I can't find it here. She added in her heart.
Yeah…it's like from they're here from the beginning. Though she didn't know about the two other doors, but definitely not Velvet Room.
"Yes, we are always here." Igor formed a wide grin. "My dear guest, please keep this in mind. Your power is magnificent. It's like a number zero… full of potential. Fortune or not, you're on your journey once again. To once again fully awaken your power, you'll have to reforge your social link.
"Social link...mean the link between me and the others?"
"Indeed. Should you confused by the feeling and the situation you are in now, please proceed without fear. Your journey is a restart…started from the end. And from what I can see, your fate is still…undecided."
"…What do you mean by that?" Started from the end? Something was missing there. Hamuko could feel it.
But Igor never told the truth.
"Time will tell you as you proceed. Now, your friends are waiting for you." Theo reminded her.
"Farewell."
"Hey…wait!"
Back to Tartarus, just like what Hamuko expected, Junpei and Yukari stared at her like they were looking at something awful.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Yukari asked, waved her hand in front of Hamuko.
"Yeah, you look like a zombie." Junpei teased.
To avoid those questioning face, Hamuko decided to play dumb.
"What? I'm looking like a zombie? Gosh!" She quickly reached to the pocket and got the mirror. Junpei didn't expect she would to do this and totally blinked.
"What the? Hey, who cares?"
Hamuko smirked as she put back the mirror into the pocket. Sorry Iori-kun. You would never believe this.
More important, what was Igor trying to speak? Her journey was a restart, and everything started from the end? That old man…could he just told her everything?
"Okay, let's get started. I'll only have the three of you explore the first floor, to have a feel inside. Akihiko and I will remain outside to give necessary support from here. Understood?" The three of them nodded. "Do not go further without my order, got it?"
"Yes senpai."
"Well, I'll appoint a leader in three of you to make decision in case necessary." Akihiko said while pondering at them.
Junpei immediately stepped front. "Leader? One of us? Sweet!" He sounded do excited, kept pointing himself. "Me…memememe, pick me!"
Akihiko ignored him, frown while he making a choice. Looks like it was a difficult task for him, his gaze fell on Hamuko at last.
"What?" Junpei yelled in disbelief. "Why her? She is a girl!"
"Iori, do you mean something else with that?" Lowered her tone, Mitsuru asked with cold face. "If you oppose the idea just because she is a girl…"
"No…nonono! That's not what I mean!"
"Is it?" Mitsuru let out a cold grin. Junpei felt the chill climbed up his back.
"I have reason for the choice." Akihiko took out his evoker, pointing at his temper. "You two, can you summon persona without any difficulty like she can?"
"Yeah…I guess." Yukari looked away.
"O-Of course I can!" Stammering was all Junpei got himself in.
Their answers obviously couldn't satisfy Akihiko. "We're talking about shadow here. If you cannot summon yours, you are screwed."
The two fell silent.
"Then I guess you guys don't have any objection. Tsukikage, we leave them to you." Akihiko put back his evoker, no more excuses for the decision.
"Okay…" Hamuko nodded while glancing at the two.
"…Be careful, Hamuko." Haruka reminded her. She replied her with an okay sign.
"I'll back up you all here. Keep your guard up all the times." Mitsuru alerted them one last time before they went in.
Once stepped inside, it's clearly a labyrinth in their opinion. Along the way, they found blood on the floor. Yukari would frown and looked away, showing disgusted. Junpei walked at the front like he was the leader of the group. Well, he did unsatisfied with the decision which Hamuko noticed one or two from his expression. He didn't speak a word to her after they entered Tartarus.
Hamuko was not a dumb. From what Yukari told him just now, Junpei just joined SEES not while ago before Hamuko. Akihiko was the one found him. Like Yukari, Junpei never joined any fight with shadow.
Mitsuru keep stating them to stay alert but it seemed Junpei didn't take it seriously.
"Wait!" Suddenly, they all stopped by Mitsuru's voice. "I detect a shadow in front of you. Proceed with extreme caution."
"F-For real?" Junpei gulped, both hands held tight on his katana. "…Well, time to kick some ass!"
Without waiting for the girls, Junpei ran forward barely care for the advice from Mitsuru earlier.
"Wait Iori! Don't—" Her words didn't seem to alert him.
"Stupei!" Yukari shouted from behind.
"Whaaaaaaaa!" Rush to the front, Junpei held up his katana slashing the Magic Hand into two. "Oh yeah! I'm good to go!" He turned to give another shot yet he didn't realize there was another Magic Hand behind him.
"Watch out!" Hamuko shielded him from behind, blocked the attack for Junpei. She pushed the naginata as well as pushing the enemy away, she shifted the weapon and stabbed directly to the shadow.
"…Tch! It's nothing!"
"Tsukikage, there's another enemy getting closer! Keep your guard up!" Mitsuru informed through the line. "Inform me if you need to analyze the enemies."
"Yes senpai." Hamuko replied while took out her evoker. "Eurydice!"
Then, a sound of the shattering mirror splashed, Eurydice appeared in front of Hamuko. She ordered Eurydice to cast Agi skill. It directly hit the weakness of Magic Hand. Imitating her, Junpei also took out the evoker, pointed at his temper however, he still couldn't cross that line. Because of the moment of hesitate, Cowardly Maya had moved in front of him.
"Junpei!"
"Iori-kun!"
Unavoidable, Junpei blocked the attack with his left hand, at the same time he pointed the evoker at his temper again. Took a deep breathe, he finally pulled the trigger.
"Come on, Hermes!"
Hermes appeared, and cast Agi skill on the Cowardly Maya. Cowardly Maya screamed in pain, and then vanished.
"Junpei!" Yukari and Hamuko rushed to him. "You're hurt!"
"I-I'm totally fine!" Junpei pulled back his injured hand.
"Tsukikage, watch your back!" Mitsuru warned.
Yukari gasped as she saw something. "Hamuko, there!" She pointed the corner behind.
There were more of them getting nearby, Magic Hand, Cowardly Maya and some more shadows they didn't know the name.
"Senpai, please analyze those we never seen before!"
"Roger."
Hamuko left the two behind, she walked to the enemies that was rushing to her at the same time. Having her evoker on hand, she closed her eyes, waiting patiently for the analysis result. She trusted Mitsuru. Yukari shouted behind her and Junpei growling something at her, she couldn't hear anymore.
"Tsukikage, they are Muttering Tiara and Merciful Maya. Both of their weakness is ice!"
"Thanks senpai." This was exactly what she was waiting for. Ignoring other noises around; she sank into her deep mind, hearing voices calling for her. Weird…she heard the voices were calling for her…not only one. There were more of them. A part of her… "Persona change…Arparas!"
A white blue maiden was summoned out. She used Bufu skill to knock down the Muttering Tiara and Merciful Maya. Unable to killed them at the same time, Hamuko waved her naginata to finish them off. Turned around, she changed back to Eurydice and spread Agi to kill Magic Hand and Cowardly Maya.
"…Incredible…" Yukari mumbled. It caused Junpei frowned and cursed inwardly.
Hamuko looked around. "Senpai, is there any more enemy?"
"No. I don't detect any more shadow. Now, you have to take care of Iori's wound." Mitsuru said after she scanned through the floor.
"Iori-kun, are you alright?"
"…I'm totally fine!" He raised his voice.
"How can this be alright?" Yukari grabbed his injured hand. It's still bleeding, like it's not going to stop. "Take a look at your face, Stupei!" She scolded furiously.
"Yeah…you look pale!" Hamuko gasped when she saw a pool of blood on the ground. "We have to treat you!"
"But…how?" Like they said, Junpei did feel tired and exhausted. He started to felt worried.
Hamuko looked at Yukari, an idea hit her.
"Yukari-chan, your persona has healing skill! You can heal Iori-kun!"
"Huh?" Yukari blinked. "H-How do you know that?"
"Instinct!" Hamuko filled up with a bright smile. "Come on, hurry up!"
"But…I-I can't summon mine…"
"You can do it!" Hamuko took the evoker and handed to Yukari. "I know you can do it, Yukari-chan! This is not a real gun!"
Yukari gulped as she stared at the evoker on hand. "I-I…"
Hamuko grabbed her hand tightly. "This is not a real gun. Only you can treat his wound."
Yukari looked at her hesitantly. She turned to look Junpei, blood still dropping down from his injured hand. She needed to heal him here, or else…bit her bottom lip; she grasped tight on the evoker and pointed to temper.
"This is not a real gun…this is not a real gun…" She closed her eye. "Io!"
As she pulled the trigger, Io appeared above her, Io scratched her hands, spreading Dia skill on Junpei's injured hand. The wound healed instantly, didn't leave a scratch on it.
"You're great, Yuka-tan!"
"You did it, Yukari-chan!"
Junpei and Hamuko cheered out. After seeing his wound had totally healed, then only Yukari let out a relieve smile.
"I-I did it?" She couldn't believe it. "I did it…I did it!" She cheered out together with the other two. She still trembling for the fear of pulling the trigger, but she did it. This was her very first time summoned her persona!
"You all did a great job. Now, get back to the entrance." They could hear chuckle in Mitsuru's tone. Followed the instruction of Mitsuru, they walked to the nearby access point.
By approached the access point, the trio was wrapping back to the entrance.
"Akihiko, they will catch up on you in no time." Mitsuru chuckled.
"Heh…we'll see." Shrugged, Akihiko playfully answered.
"Yeah you can count on me! No problem!" Junpei said while with arms akimbo.
"Look who's talking now." Yukari narrowed her eyes; hands crossed in front her chest.
"You don't have to tell me!"
"This is all thanks to you, Tsukikage." If it wasn't her, guessed Yukari and Junpei still couldn't summon their personas. Mitsuru finally let down the burden. "And your ability…you can summon multiple persona?"
Nodded, Hamuko answered firmly. "Yes."
"You're impressive, Tsukikage."
As they talking, none of them noticed Junpei standing aside with long face. He mumbled something under his breathes. Haruka took a glance at him like she heard him, but she spoke nothing.
Instead, she approached Mitsuru. "Senpai, the time almost ends."
"Is it?" Mitsuru looked down to her watch. "Fine, we call it a day. Let's head back to the dorm."
"Great…I feel exhausted." Yukari scratched her body. Her face filled with tiredness.
"Yeah, me too. I'm beat." Junpei said while let out a yawn.
Hamuko didn't feel the same way like them. Instead, she still full of energy, not a hint of tiredness. Yet, she thought she could explore more inside Tartarus. It's just the matter of time.
Before they left, she heard a deep voice rang in her mind.
I am thou, and thou art I…
Thou hast reforged the bond…
Thou shalt be blessed when recreating Persona of Fool Arcana…
She formed a smile, stepped out from Tartarus.
Watching SEES getting out from Tartarus, Minato figured Dark Hour would soon end. He saw Hamuko and Haruka in the group, eyes dropped after realized the girls had joined.
I should have known this…from the moment they moved into Iwatodai Dorm. Letting out a sigh, Minato lifted his gaze to the green shined moon. Perhaps he needed more observation. Without any clue, he couldn't do anything.
A/N: This is the edited chapter 3! Finally I get it done. I might will come up with chapter 4 but that's all depend to my motivation…you know, laziness can kill us.